Order of Service – 24th July 2022

The Order of Service follows below.

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The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 24^th, 2022

Prelude

The Prayer of Jesus

Welcome

Lighting of the Candles and Introit

Mayenzie – South African traditional

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

With hearts of hope we come to worship this day.
Help us to see your vision for how the world could be, O God.

With hearts seeking justice, we come to worship this day.
Help us to find your truth and align our living with your ways, Jesus Christ.

With hearts longing for healing we come to worship this day.
Help us to be aware of your presence,
Holy Spirit, source of peace.

As we come to worship, gently shape and form our lives. Like water slowly carving rock, shape our hearts and minds, our actions and our words, that we might be your people, for you are our God.
Amen.

We Sing: Life-giver, Lover of Us All

Life-giver, Lover of us all,
upon your holy name we call;
your new day come, your will be done,
on earth as in all realms beyond.
We pray this day for bread to live,
forgive our sins as we forgive,
and give us strength in time of test.
Grant us release from evil’s death.

As a canon:

For all the cosmos is your own,
your pow’r of love which we have known,
the splendour, radiant, without end.
To God be praise! Amen. Amen.

Prayer

Passing of the Peace

The peace of our God be with you.
And also with you.

Community News and Notices

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Children’s Time

We Sing: Pray

I’m gonna stretch my hands up to the sky,
‘cause you are awesome God.
I’m gonna hide my face and shy away.
I’m so sorry God.
I’m gonna clear my mind and bow my head
for those who are in need.
I’m gonna clap my hands and thank you God
for all you’ve given me.

I’m gonna pray, I’m gonna pray,
I’m gonna pray any time of the day.
I’m gonna pray, I’m gonna pray,
I’m gonna pray every time of the day.

Children may go downstairs for Sunday School. Parents, you are welcome to join your child in Sunday School if you feel your child may need your assistance. Alternatively, you may wish for your child to remain with you for the duration of worship. Activity packs are available from the Welcome Desks.

Choral Anthem

The Lord’s Prayer by Chris Chataway

Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’

And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

’So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

The Gospel of Christ, light of the world.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon

We Sing: The Love of God Comes Close

Verse 1: Choir

The love of God comes close
where stands an open door,
to let the stranger in,
to mingle rich and poor:
the love of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk his way.

Verse 2: Men and lower voices

The peace of God comes close
to those caught in the storm,
forgoing lives of ease
to ease the lives forlorn:
the peace of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk the way.

Verse 3: Women and higher voices

The joy of God comes close
where faith encounters fears,
where heights and depths of life
are found through smiles and tears.
The joy of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk the way.

All:

The grace of God comes close
to those whose grace is spent,
when hearts are tired or sore
and hope is bruised and bent.
The grace of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk the way.

Offering

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Prayers of the People

As we come to our prayers of the people today, you are invited to reflect on the Lord’s prayer in silence. Choose one phrase that stands out to you and consider for whom you pray this part of the Lord’s prayer this day. Listen for what God might be saying to you through this prayer. When we come to say the Lord’s prayer together, the worship leader will say the whole prayer, and you are invited to wait until your chosen line and speak this line aloud.

…And now with the confidence of the children of God, let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us saying:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

your Kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power

and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

We Sing: May Our Lives and Our Prayers Be One

Chorus:

May our lives and our prayers be one
as our hopes shape the roads we walk on
and when our work and our dreaming’s done
may our lives and our prayers be one.

Within the rhythm of our days
we take the time to muse and pray.
The fears we face, the tears we taste
we view in light of holy grace.

May our lives and our prayers be one
as our hopes shape the roads we walk on
and when our work and our dreaming’s done
may our lives and our prayers be one.
We name our deepest hopes and dreams
for those we love and all in need
we picture how the world could be
we live the change we want to see.

May our lives and our prayers be one
as our hopes shape the roads we walk on
and when our work and our dreaming’s done
may our lives and our prayers be one.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Choral Blessing

With Prayer and Supplication by Amy Beach

Postlude

The Lord’s Prayer – Rosemary Nairn

Come and share morning tea together, downstairs in the basement.